Snapback would draw ‘decisive response,’ Iran says

Tehran would issue a firm response if European governments trigger the snapback mechanism under UN Resolution 2231, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Sunday.
Tehran would issue a firm response if European governments trigger the snapback mechanism under UN Resolution 2231, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Sunday.
“We have made it clear to the United Nations and the Security Council that such a step is a misuse of international structures, and the Islamic Republic will respond decisively,” he said.
Speaking to parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, Gharibabadi said Tehran instead suggested talks on formally ending both the resolution and the snapback clause.
The government remains committed to the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ebrahim Rezaei, the committee’s spokesperson, quoted Gharibabadi as saying.
President Masoud Pezeshkian enacted the IAEA suspension law early in July, following its approval by parliament and the Guardian Council. Rezaei described the legislation as “binding and enforceable.”
European states have failed to uphold their obligations under the nuclear agreement, the deputy foreign minister said, and therefore “have no right to activate snapback,” according to Rezaei.
Meanwhile, hardline newspaper Farhikhtegan warned in an article of escalating tensions, the possibility of military conflict, and the formation of a global consensus against the Islamic Republic following activation of the snapback mechanism by European countries.
Iran aligns with China, Russia on snapback response
Tehran had held a trilateral meeting with Beijing and Moscow to coordinate a joint stance in case the European powers move to reimpose UN sanctions, Gharibabadi told the committee.
His comments follow renewed scrutiny of Iran’s ties with its two main partners.
On Sunday, Revolutionary Guard political deputy Yadollah Javani responded to domestic criticism over Chinese and Russian inaction during Israeli attacks by saying Tehran had made no request for support.
Long-term agreements with both countries “do not oblige them to defend the Islamic Republic during war,” he added.
Separately, Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported that the United States is pressuring China to halt Iranian oil imports.
Beijing has expressed willingness to reduce purchases if offered lower prices elsewhere.
Citing informed sources, Al Hadath also reported that according to US assessments, the administration of US president Donald Trump may have no more than one year left to act against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
“Washington does not intend to give Tehran any opportunity to rebuild its power,” wrote the outlet.
US President Donald Trump repeatedly said that American airstrikes had obliterated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.